Jiyoung Park Takes Lead "Overseas Tournaments Are Great"... Hyunkyung Park Tied for 2nd Place

Jiyoung Park Sparks Excitement with 5-Under Par in Round 2 of Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open
Jungmin Hong and Soyoung Lee Tied for 2nd, Minji Park and Titikun Chase at 4 Shots Behind

Park Ji-young is reading the putting line on the 16th hole during the second round of the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Park Ji-young is on a winning streak.

On the 10th, at the Tanah Merah Country Club Tampines Course (par 72, 6,486 yards) in Singapore, Park Ji-young shot 5 under par in the second round of the 2023 KLPGA Tour season opener, the Hana Financial Group Singapore Ladies Open (total prize money 1.1 million Singapore dollars), taking the top spot on the leaderboard with 11 under par 133 strokes. Park Hyun-kyung, Hong Jeong-min, and Lee So-young are in a chase at joint second place (10 under par 134 strokes).

Starting from a tie for third place, one stroke behind, Park Ji-young swept up five birdies without any bogeys. She reduced two strokes in the front nine with birdies on holes 14 and 17, then created momentum with three consecutive birdies on holes 3 to 5 in the back nine. Rising to a one-stroke lead, Park Ji-young secured a chance for her first win of the season and her fifth career victory, eight months after winning the Mediheal-Korea Daily Championship last April.

"My putting was good, so I was able to achieve a good result," said Park Ji-young. "Since I finished my round in the morning group, I have plenty of time to prepare. I think I need to practice a bit more to find my lacking shot feel." When asked about being strong overseas, she added, "Maybe because I like the heat, I seem to do well in tournaments held abroad. There are many good players, so I will focus only on my game tomorrow."

Park Hyun-kyung, who was co-leader the previous day, added 3 under par but gave up the lead. Jeong Yoon-ji is at 9 under par 135 strokes, Lim Hee-jung and Lee So-mi at 8 under par 136 strokes, and domestic number one Park Min-ji, Ahn Sun-ju, and LPGA Rookie of the Year Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) are all at 7 under par 137 strokes, eyeing a comeback. Choi Hye-jin is at 5 under par 139 strokes, Kim Su-ji, leading in both the overall and average score rankings, is at 3 under par 141 strokes, and Shin Ji-ae is at 1 under par 143 strokes, all advancing to the third round.